represent their reasons and answers with due perspicuity and all possible brevity; and that they do not needlessly expatiate on things that concern not the true merits of the cause; and the Assembly prohibits all lengthening of debates by replies and duplies, unless the judicatory before whom the debate lies find it necessary for clearing some matter of fact, or because of some new matter that hath occurred, which could not be considered before. And to prevent unnecessary and contentious appeals in such matters, it is declared and ordained, That if both the competing parishes be within the bounds of the same presbytery, in that case, the decision and sentence of the presbytery shall take effect, and be obeyed; or if the parishes be in different presbyteries, but both presbyteries be within the same synod, in that case the decision and sentence of the synod shall also take effect, and be obeyed; yet always allowing liberty to any person or parish, who think themselves grieved, to appeal to superior judicatories, to have redress by taking off the sentence, and censuring the respective judicatory complained of, if they be found to have malversed: but with this certification, that if any be found unnecessarily to pursue appeals and complaints, they shall be severely censured therefor.-Act 6.

1704. To prevent the rabbling of messengers by the people, and horrid profanation of the Lord's day, which frequently falls out in cases of transportation, when the defending parties or parish are to be summoned, it is appointed and ordained, That the minister himself being summoned apud acta at the presbytery, or, if absent, by the presbytery's letter, to be present at the day appointed for hearing the cause; he also be ordered to intimate out of the pulpit to the heritors, elders, and others concerned in the parish, that there is such a call, and such a transportation designed; and if any of them have a mind to defend their right to their minister, they are to be present at the presbytery on such a day, and ready to make their defences; for which cause, the Assembly ordains the call, with the reasons thereof, to be given or transmitted to the minister, to be by him communicated to them; and appoints this method of citation in cases of transportations

to be observed only where the presbyteries concerned shall and all see cause to take that course; in which case the citation resso so given is declared to be a valid citation; but that it od shall be optional to the presbytery to follow this course, 164 or do it by officials as formerly.-Act 7.

UNCLEANNESS.

Vide Form of Process, cap. 4, p. 148, Vol. I.

1715. The presbytery of Kirkaldy is ordered to proceed against Mr Colin Mackenzie of Rosend, for the sin of uncleanness, according to the rules of the church, notwithstanding of any thing that some prelatical preachers had done or might do in the affair; and the said prelatical preachers are discharged to proceed any further in that matter, as they will be answerable: And remitted to the commission to take care that the Assembly's authority be not contemned in this case: And this method is appointed to be observed in cases of scandal, when any others, either episcopal preachers, or such as pretend to be presbyterians, but separate from this church, take upon them to exercise discipline.-Act 14.

UNITY IN RELIGION.

1630. That no novations, which may disturb the peace of the church, and make division, be suddenly proponed and enacted; but so as the motion be first communicated to the several synods, presbyteries, and kirks, that the matter may be approved by all at home, and commissioners may come well prepared unanimously to conclude a solid deliberation upon these points in the General Assembly. Act Sess. 23, Aug. 30.

1611. That according to the aforesaid act of Assembly at Edinburgh, and that at Aberdeen 1640, no novation in doctrine, worship, or government, be brought in or practised in this kirk, unless it first be propounded, examined,

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and allowed in the General Assembly, and that the transgressors in this kind be censured by presbyteries and synods. Act. Sess. 14, Aug. 6.

1642. The moderator and commissioners of the Assemby are enjoined, with all earnestness and respect, to supplicate the lords of council and conservators of the peace, that they may concur with the kirk, in desiring his majesty and the parliament of England, and the commissioners of Scotland at London for the time, by all possible means, civil and ecclesiastical, to advance the blessed work of unity in religion, and uniformity of kirk-government betwixt the kingdoms; and to endeavour a happy settlement betwixt his majesty and his parliament, and that the common peace betwixt the kingdoms may be continued and strengthened.-Act Sess. 11, Aug. 5.

1695. The Acts of former Assemblies made anent innovations in doctrine, worship, or government, are revived, especially Acts Aug. 30, Ass. 1639, and Aug. 6, Ass. 1641, Act 11.

1707. The Assembly discharges the practice of innovation in divine worship within the church, and requires and obtests all the ministers of this church, especially those in whose bounds such innovations are, or may be, to represent to their people the evil thereof, and seriously to exhort them to beware of them; and to deal with all such as practise the same, in order to their recovery and reformation; and enjoins the commission to use all proper means, by applying to the government, or otherwise, for suppressing and removing all such innovations, and preventing the evils and damages that may ensue thereupon to the church.-Act 15.

1713. All ministers and people are charged to abstain from all divisive courses, upon occasion of different sentiments and practices about the oath of abjuration; and that they would, notwithstanding thereof, live in love and Christian communion together, and strengthen one another's hands in their work, and use all prudent and gaining methods to keep the people in due subjection and love to their own pastors.-Act 6.

1714. The exhortations contained in the foresaid Act

6, Ass. 1713, are renewed; and all ministers and people are seriously obtested to lay to heart the important duties therein recommended, and that there be no distinguishing course taken, contrary thereto, on the occasion of celebrating the holy sacrament of the Lord's supper, which ought to be the bond of love and unity among Christians. And a committee is appointed to consider any representations that might be offered to them concerning brethren that may follow divisive courses, and to deal with them in order to remove their scruples, and to reclaim them to their duty, and to report their diligence to the commission; who are empowered, from time to time, to give the committee instructions and directions in their procedure, and to cognosce and determine in this affair. Act 8.

1715. All are exhorted to avoid irregular and disorderly practices; and all the ministers of this church are obtested, carefully to guard against the distinguishing course taken by some in the choice of their assistants, at the celebration of the sacrament of the Lord's supper.Act 6.

1735. It is recommended to ministers and others, That they do what they can to prevent and suppress the growth of deism, infidelity, popery, and other gross errors; and in order thereto, it is recommended to all ministers to maintain, as far as in them lies, brotherly love, peace, and unity, amongst themselves, and amongst the people under their charge; and in all their more public appearances to avoid uncharitable reflections, and all just grounds of irritation, tending to engender strife more than to promote edification.—Act 7.

UNIVERSITIES.

1641. It is recommended to the parliament, 1. That, out of the rents of the prelacies, collegiate or chapterkirks, or sicklike, a sufficient maintenance be provided for a competent number of professors, teachers, or bursars in all faculties, and especially in divinity; and for up

holding, repairing, and enlarging the fabric of the colleges, furnishing of libraries, and sicklike good uses, in every university and college. 2. That there be a meeting, once every year, at such times and places as shall be agreed upon, of commissioners from every university and college, to consult and determine upon their common affairs, and whatsoever may concern them; and who may represent what is needful therein to the parliament and General Assembly. 3. That special care be had, that the places of the professors, especially professors of divinity in every university and college, be filled with the ablest men, and best affected to the reformation and order of this kirk.— Sess. 9, Aug. 3.

1646. It is recommended to all the universities, To condescend upon the best overtures for the most profitable teaching of grammar and philosophy, and report to the Assembly.-Sess. ult. June 18, Art. 3.

1647. It is recommended to all universities, 1. To be careful to take account of all the scholars on the Sabbathday, of the sermons, and of their lessons of the catechism. 2. To send their commissioners, instructed with answers to the overtures agreed upon by the commissioners of universities, and that against their commissioners come, in February or March, to the commission of the kirk.Sess. 28, Aug. ult.

1707. It is recommended to the commissioners, directed from the several universities, to subsequent Assemblies, to meet together, and prepare overtures to the Assembly, for the establishment and advancement of piety and learning, and good order in the schools and universities, and to keep a correspondence amongst themselves for these good ends.-Act 6.

1711. It is recommended to the several presbyteries, in whose bounds colleges or universities are, to take particular care, that all the masters thereof do acknowledge, profess, and subscribe, in manner appointed by act of parliament 1707, 6, entitled, "Act for securing the Protestant Religion and Presbyterian Church Government:" And to take special notice of what is taught in colleges and universities, and that nothing be taught therein con